How do I get my 3 year old to sleep and stay asleep in his bed? He won't get out of mine(hubby saids i spoil him way too much) and my husband usually ends up on the couch.

Stacy - posted on 07/08/2012

I really like this and going to start this tonight!!!

Janelle - posted on 08/25/2011

me and my boyfriend put our son's bed in our room cause we had the same problem he still wakes up sometimes and sleeps with me but for the most time he is in his own bed i think him knowing we are in the same room is a security thing for him

Nicole - posted on 08/09/2011

Start reinforcing him for staying in his bed. If he's afraid of the dark and can afford to do so, pick up the kids Fisher Price lantern. It's durable, it shuts itself off automatically after 2 minutes and is super easy to turn on.
If he is using the afraid of something, then walk him back to his bed check around everything to show him it is safe, give him a quick snuggle and tuck him back in.
Be consistent.
What ever strategy you choose, consistency is key.
Start a sticker reward chart where he gets a sticker for every night he stays in his own bed and if he earns enough stickers (7?) then he gets a super big treat (something that means a lot to him) going out for ice cream, or a toy from the dollar store or watching a movie etc.
Good luck!

Kari - posted on 08/08/2011

We got a small juvenile air mattress and put it in our room, then left the gate to his room open so when he wakes up in the middle of the night he can just climb in there and not wake us...that way he doesn't have to sleep with us but we are right there if he needs anything. We battled with him for months with him not staying in his bed then tried this idea....works like a charm. Just don't give in and let him back in your bed or you're back at square one...good luck!!!

Darla - posted on 08/08/2011

I have the same problem as most on this page. My 3 year old does the same thing. The only difference is, she doesn't climb out of her "big girl bed" she just hollars at me until I go get her. Luckily we have a king size bed. In three years, i have had one full week of her sleeping in her own bed. If I wasn't so sleep deprived I would probably be able to remember what we did that caused her to stay in her bed. Good luck ladies and hopefully soon we will ALL be sleeping peacefully.

Kirby - posted on 08/08/2011

My twins have the same problem - we are even looking at getting a king size bed because my poor fiance has to sleep in one of the kids beds!! they cant understand the sticker chart thing yet, or rewards etc - if you find another way that works, please let me know too!! :)

Angie - posted on 08/07/2011

I have a 4 yr old that does the same thing and hubby ends up on couch. For me its really not an issue though doesnt really bother me to much I figure in time she will stop on her own. I told her that if she stayed in her bed all night like a big girl then Id get her something special for big girls like a necklace or something and that worked for about a week lol

Christine - posted on 08/07/2011

welcome to my world stacey! my 4 year old has always somehow ended up in our bed every night since day one. too bad hubbys, your kids are awsome to watch sleep and cuddle with! id rather my son thean my snoring husband! LOL!

Louise - posted on 08/01/2011

I think kate with the answer about the sticker chart was really a good idea. When you put a reward system into teaching kids things like being good and learning new things it really works as it gives them a sense of praise. i have done this in the past and it really works. You should definately try the reward chart.

Vicki - posted on 07/30/2011

A friend of mine has one of those little fold out couch/bed things in her room. If her 3 yr old comes in she sleeps there. Works for them.

My boy (just turned 2) still sleeps full time with us. I may try him in his own bed this summer. I still wouldn't mind if he joined us for part of the night, I'd just appreciate a few hours sleeping without him!

Kate - posted on 07/29/2011

We have had that same problem with our 4 year old. She would come into our bed around 2-3am and sleep between us. Now that I have a 6mo old, it just is too crowded b/c I am nursing the little one in our bed. we have started a sticker chart. She gets a sticker when she stays in her bed the whole night and after ten, gets a $1 toy. it has worked really well, she won't even read stories in our bed anymore! She was able to pick out her own stickers, and we put the chart where she could see it everyday and we talked about it ALL THE TIME before, to hype it up. Good luck, I know it can be frustrating, but the sooner they can be in their own bed, the better. Everyone will sleep better :)

Beth - posted on 07/28/2011

My 3 1/2 year old was in her own room then we lost our house in a fire and she wanted to sleep with us because she'd have nightmares or would freak out if she woke up alone, so we put her bed in our bedroom and she sleeps perfectly fine in it. Our youngest is 2 1/2 (2 when we lost our house) and she refuses to sleep anywhere but on my chest at night. She has had a really hard time coping with everything that's happened. I say try putting his bed/crib in your room and see how that goes. Good luck.

Jennifer - posted on 07/28/2011

The only thing that comes to my mind is every time he goes to your room keep walking him back to his room and putting him back in his own bed....